Research
in the laboratory of Dr. Prilutsky
focuses on the mechanisms of movement generation and control. This
includes control of force by the arm during learning new movements, modeling of
the spinal cord neural circuitry that controls locomotion, and studying the
role of the motor cortex in different locomotor
behaviors.

We collaborate with the laboratory of Dr. Prilutsky
in the analysis of biomechanics of complex locomotion behaviors and involvement
of motor cortex in the control of them. We conduct experiments together in Phoenix, in which we
record whole-body kinematics and dynamics of subjects while they walk along a
cluttered pathway, along series of elevated platforms, along a narrow strip, or
on other complex surfaces. We also record the activity of muscles and the motor
region of the cerebral cortex at the same time. Some of these measurements are
then repeated in Atlanta
where more advanced equipment for biomechanical recordings and analysis is
available. The goal is to describe, analyze, and eventually understand
biomechanics of complex locomotion behaviors, and their neural correlates.

Brad Farrell from the Georgia
Institute of Technology has actively participated in these studies since he was
an undergraduate student. In fall of 2006 Brad started his graduate studies in
the PhD program of the School
of Applied Physiology at
Georgia Institute of Technology; research advisor Dr.
Prilutsky, co-advisor Dr. Beloozerova. Brad’s
research is focusing on the mechanisms of precise stepping. He defended his
Ph.D. on October 29, 2012 and is currently a Research Associate at the Hulse Spinal Cord Injury Lab, Shepherd Center, in Atlanta, GA.

Karolinska Institute in Stockholm,
Sweden

The
general goal of research in the laboratory of Dr. Deliagina
is to understand the organization and operation of the neuronal networks
responsible for maintenance of the basic body posture.

We
collaborate with the laboratory of Dr. Deliagina in
studies aimed at characterizing the
commands, which are transmitted from the brain motor centers to the spinal cord
during different postural tasks. In our joint experiments, we test
subjects during balancing on a platform, which periodically tilts to the right
and then to the left. We encourage the subjects to assume different postures
(such as leaning to the right or to the left) or to perform stepping movements
while still keeping balance on the platform. We record kinematics and dynamic
parameters of limbs and body movements, the activity of limb muscles, and the
neuronal activity of the motor cortex, motor thalamus, and midbrain. We then
compare body mechanics, the activity of muscles, and the activity of brain
areas during balancing with different postural configurations and reveal the
parameters, which are associated specifically with each of the configurations. This allows us to understand the
contribution of supraspinal mechanisms to the control
of posture.

A
graduate student from Karolinska Institute Anastasia Karayannidou
defended her thesis on “Spinal and supraspinal
mechanisms of postural control” in summer 2009 with 5 full size peer-reviewed
publications, 3 of which resulted from her work in our laboratory. Anastasia
did a full academic year rotation (2005-2006) in our laboratory during her
second year in PhD program, and then visited for more experiments.